Culture shock rating

Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.

Low

Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.

Medium

Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.

High

You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.

Medium

Physicality

Physical rating

Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.

Low

Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.

Medium

Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.

High

Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.

Low

TOUR SNAPSHOT

“”

The Eat Like a Russian tour surpassed our expectations. We were introduced to lots of different local foods and had opportunities for lots of tastings. Our guide was a perfect mix of knowledgeable, interested, interesting, personable and professional - she really added to the experience we had. We definitely didn’t need dinner after we had finished the tour - we were well sated.

Ms. Jocelyn H., New Zealand - 24 Aug 2018

Tour snapshot

Get ready to eat like a Russian on this delicious foodie tour of the Danilovsky neighbourhood in Moscow. Check out the bustling local market and discover what Russian cuisine is all about, find out what locals like to eat on special occasions (spoiler alert — caviar is involved!) and take a trip down memory lane to discover the foods of countries that once belonged to the USSR.

Highlights

Explore the colourful Danilovsky market with a local

Taste some of our favourite Russian cuisine

Try tvorog, a deliciously traditional dairy treat

Discover more about the diverse range of people who live in our beautiful city

Visit an off-the-beaten-track neighbourhood and see how locals live day to day

Language: English

Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, all food and drinks mentioned in the itinerary (local honey, a local diary product, a local seasonal fruit, red caviar, smoked lard, pickled cucumber, sauerkraut, pilaf, chudu, pie and tea). If a dish is not available on the day, it will be substituted with a similar and equally delicious product.

Our tour begins in the little-known Danilovsky district of Moscow, which is home to one of the most prominent examples of constructivist architecture in the city. Parisians have long argued about the beauty of the Eiffel Tower; the Muscovites have polarised opinions about the Ship House.

Having learned a little about the lives of locals here as we walk, we’ll arrive at the tastiest part of our tour — the food market — and this particular one attracts both trendy chefs and savvy locals alike. Our degustation menu for the day will include sour, spicy, cheesy and sweet treats for your delectation. We hope you’re hungry!

We’ll start with nature’s bounty: Russian honey served with herbs and berries. Next it’s on to appetisers and you’ll try the freshest cheeses and curd from the Caucasian region. You’ll be surprised by the number of milk products Russia and other countries from the former USSR used to consume every day.

You’ll then try juicy tangerines from Abkhazia if it's winter or delicious apples in summer from the gardens around the city.

Then it’s on to two proper Russian delicacies. First is smoked lard, which sounds a bit odd to the western palate, but trust us, it’s rich, fulfilling and delicious! Then, red caviar from the island of Sakhalin, an absolute must-eat while in Moscow.

Next we’ll time travel to the Soviet era to take a peep at a typical kitchenette with stripped tablecloth, cut glass and toffees for children, plus plenty of jars of pickles and homemade jams. You can then taste the secret cure to every Russian’s hangover, salty cucumbers and sauerkraut. After these salty delicacies, a Kvas or fruit-drink will banish your thirst.

We’ll then head south to explore our favourite dishes from Uzbekistan and Dagestan, pilaf and chudu (scones) with cheese or pumpkin, finishing off with tea and pies. We recommend the sweet pie with poppy seeds. Yummy!

Happy and full, you’ll be guided to the metro station or you can of course stay and shop for tasty souvenirs too! Don’t forget to ask your local guide for tips on what else to see, do and where to eat during your stay in magnificent Moscow.

Additional information

Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, all food and drinks mentioned in the itinerary (local honey, a local diary product, a local seasonal fruit, red caviar, smoked lard, pickled cucumber, sauerkraut, pilaf, chudu, pie and tea). If a dish is not available on the day, it will be substituted with a similar and equally delicious product.

Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 6 people.

Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.

Closure of sites: This would be highly unlikely but a substitute location can be found if this happens.

Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.

Dietary Notes

We can accommodate vegetarians and some other dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests. You can do so in the ‘Additional information’ box at checkout, or by emailing us at info@moscowurbanadventures.com.

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Ms. Jocelyn H. from New Zealand travelled on 24 Aug 2018

The Eat Like a Russian tour surpassed our expectations. We were introduced to lots of different local foods and had opportunities for lots of tastings. Our guide was a perfect mix of knowledgeable, interested, interesting, personable and professional - she really added to the experience we had. We definitely didn’t need dinner after we had finished the tour - we were well sated.